Kinds Of Hearing Evaluation Tests For Younger Generation

By Serena Price


A physician usually carries out a total physical tests, asks about the medical history of your child before he can continue with a hearing evaluation examination. The child ability to hear has several tests that can be conducted. The several tests vary depending on the childs age and also on their level of comprehension. The following pointers illustrate further on the tests carried out on your child on the basis the child age.

A newborn can be evaluated used two types of tests. These tests can be used alone or together. The first test is auditory brainstem response abbreviated as ABR. This test uses wires which are joined to the scalp of the baby using an adhesive. The test is carried out when the baby is asleep to avoid distraction. Clicking sounds are applied through small earphones in the ear of the baby. The test usually measures the brain activity in response to the sounds produced. This test takes only a few minutes and it is painless.

The second test used on a newborn is called evoked otoacoustic emissions abbreviated as EOAE. This test uses a small, flexible plug which is fitted in the ear of the baby. Through this plug, sound is sent. The plug has a microphone, which records the otoacoustic responses of the ear in reaction to the sounds produced. This test is also done when the baby is asleep and it is also painless.

One of the methods used on infants is referred to as behavioral audiometry. This method involving observation of the child behaviors in response to the sound they are subjected to. The doctor may also use a different additional test if need be.

A toddler can be evaluated using two tests. The first one is visual reinforcement audiometry abbreviated as VRA. During this test the child is trained to look towards a source of sound. When the child responds correctly, he is rewarded by use of visual objects like a flashlight or a moving toy. This test is done on children between 6 months to 2 years of age.

Toddlers utilize an extra test known as play audiometry. In this examination, electrical equipment is used to transfer varying volumes and pitches inside the toddlers ear. The fun in this test is that it can be in form of a game base on the age group of your child. The child is requested that every time they hear a sound they do an activity with a toy in motion.

For ages three and four the examination conducted on them is known as tympaomentry test also known as impendance audiometry. The test examines how the middle part of the year is functioning. It does not show hearing loss on the child but it detects changes in pressure. The child is expected to stay still without talking, moving, or crying.

Another test used for hearing evaluation in older children is Pure Tone audiometry. In this test, an electric machine is used to produce sounds at varied pitches as well as volumes onto the ears of the child. The child is asked to respond with his hand when he hears the tone through the earphone.




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